MDC Alliance (MDC-A) president Nelson Chamisa has urged citizens to take the coronavirus seriously following a surge in new infections and several deaths including prominent people in the past few days.

In a post on Twitter this Saturday, Chamisa said communities are now paying the price for the complacency witnessed in recent months.

While saluting frontline workers who have put their lives on the line in fighting the virus in hostile circumstances, Chamisa called on fellow citizens to change their conduct to avert a looming catastrophe. He wrote:

We are losing relatives, friends and members of our communities to this deadly pandemic.

We cannot afford to be as complacent as we have been in recent months. Our communities are paying the price.

We must change our conduct if we are to beat this pandemic.

I call upon responsible offices to apply and encourage precautions.

The virus does not select, therefore selective application of rules is self-defeating.

I extend my prayers to all those who are unwell and salute our healthcare warriors for taking the frontline role in this deadly war.

Reports indicate that all hospitals in Harare admitting COVID-19 patients are filled to capacity as new coronavirus infections and deaths have thrown the capital into a panic.